Gospel Meditation

Luke 21:20–28

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.

1.         Jesus, in the last few days while on the planet, explains that Jerusalem would come under attack, and it did in about thirty-eight years from then by the Romans, and it would be tragic for those inside the city.

2.         Then Jesus says, “until” the times (here the word is Kairos) of the Gentiles are completed, Jerusalem will be trampled down. This gives way to many conflicting ideas, and here my view is that Jesus is speaking of the end of the world, also known as The Second Coming.

3.         It is here that Christians, over the centuries, have come up with different ideas, and these in opposition one to another. Most healthy it is to not insist on one single point of view, but be open to various scenarios.

4.         Jesus now turns to the arrival of the Son of Man, meaning His return at the end of the age.

5.         There would be “signs” or indicators of this return to planet earth, even His return to the universe as indicated with the phrase, “sun and moon and stars” in verse 25.

6.         He says that on the earth nations will be perplexed, likely meaning confused and disturbed by events, people even “fainting with fear” thus indicating very turbulent times. Yet, in the midst of such indiscernible conditions, the Son of Man will arrive with “power and great glory.”

7.         Then we will look up, “raise your heads” because our salvation is coming near.                      

Gospel Meditation

Luke 21:5–19

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.

1.         Luke introduces this segment by stating that Jesus is hearing people talking about the Temple, how wonderfully adorned it was. And indeed it was according to the account of it given by Josephus, even more incredible than the seven wonders of the ancient world. For example, there were stones there that were 45 by 11.5 by 12 feet, and weighing 570 lbs.

2.         This event likely took place within the Temple’s grounds, and Jesus says that a day will come when not one stone will on be top of another, in other words, the Temple would be completely destroyed. And we know this took place under the leadership of the Roman general Titus in 70 AD, at the conclusion of a 4 year war with Rome.

3.         Jesus then, being asked when this would take place, without directly answering, warns that they are not to be led astray as many would come saying that they were the Messiah, and indeed history authenticates this statement by Jesus, some 26 of these in that century.

4.         Jesus goes on to say that there would be wars and political turmoil, but this does not signal the end.

5.         In the next segment, Jesus says that there will be wars and persecution of His followers, and we are to use this as an opportunity to “bear witness.” He even says that Christians will be hated, but that we would endure this.

GOSPEL MEDITATION

Luke 20:41-21:4

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.

1.         Jesus, speaking to a group of Sadducees who seemed to have been saying that the Messiah was actually a descendant of King David, thus merely a human being. Jesus quotes Psalm 110:1, a Psalm of David which refers to the Messiah as the Jehovah God, thus negating the idea that the Messiah was only human and not divine at all.

2.         Next then Jesus warns not only His disciples but a wider audience of the duplicity of the Scribes, these the lawyers, synagogue rulers, and more, that their religion is for show only and not real and actual. He ends this warning with a most solemn warning, that these hyper-religious showmen will receive a great condemnation.

3.         In both cases, the Sadducees and the Scribes, Jesus is reaching out to them as He knows their fate unless they turn from their ways and humble themselves.

4.         This third story now takes place, very likely, some time later than the above confrontations, and takes place, as thought by most commentators, in the Court of Women in the Temple. Placed there were 13 trumpet shaped receptacles for people to drop offerings of money into.

5.         Jesus calls attention to a very poor widow who they can observe dropping in 2 coins (leptas–worth 1/8 of a penny) Jesus commends her and teaches His disciples an important lesson.

Gospel Meditation

Luke 20:19–26

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.

1.         Members of the religious establishment, consisting of the scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees (Matthew and Mark include the Herodians), these groups that were most often opposed to each other, band together in an attempt to trap Jesus and see then that the Romans deal with Him.

2.         These antagonists were watching Jesus carefully, hoping to find a way to bring charges against Him. Already these had gone to Judas Iscariot and enlisted him to find a way to arrest Jesus.

3.         Now, only two or three days before Jesus would be arrested and then crucified, Jesus’ enemies ask Him if it is right to pay tribute, or a tax, to Caesar. The Romans were severe about this and monitored this closely.

4.         Jesus asks that a denarius be shown to Him, and the  Roman coin, and probably with the likeness of Tiberius, the current Caesar, on one side of the coin, and with “Pontifex Maximus” on the reverse side. 

5.         He then says to give to Caesar what is required, yes paying the tax, but give to God the things that are God’s.

6.         If Jesus had said “No” to paying the tax, the authorities would look at Jesus as a traitor and law breaker. If Jesus had said “Yes” to paying the tax, many of the Jewish people would be angry at that, especially the religious authorities who would have lost the most.

7.         Jesus’ antagonists became silent at that point.

The Gospel Meditation

Luke 20:9–18

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.

1.         Only a day or two remains before Jesus will be crucified. Many Jews are listening to Him teach and preach at the Temple in Jerusalem. Here is a parable in which Jesus describes what will take place in years to come.

2.         The parable concerns a man who planted a vineyard, hired others to care for it as he left the area for a lengthy period of time. Later on the owner of the vineyard sends a servant to those who are caring for it to receive some fruit from the vineyard.

3.         The first of these servants sent is beaten and sent away by the tenants of the vineyard. A second servant is also beaten and treated badly. And even a third servant is wounded and sent away.

4.         Finally, the owner of the vineyard sends a beloved son, whom the owner hopes will be welcomed. But no, this son is cast out of the vineyard and killed.

5.         This tragic event results in the owner coming and destroying the tenants and giving the vineyard to others.

6.         Those hearing the parable protest, and then the owner of the vineyard quotes Psalm 118:22, which speaks of a stone that is rejected, which nevertheless becomes the chief stone, even the most important stone, the cornerstone, which will bring horrible judgment upon the tenants of that vineyard.

7.         This parable is understood to refer to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 A.D. And this may be seen as a last-ditch effort on Jesus’ part to warn His fellow Jews of what is about to unfold in their future history.

Gospel Meditation

1 Timothy 1:18–20

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.

1.   The Apostle Paul, a former Pharisee, is writing to young Timothy, this is the first of two epistles (letters). He starts off with a warning about false teachers troubling churches. The problem seems to be those who are still clinging to the Law of the Old Testament.

2.   Paul admits that formerly he had been a “blasphemer” as he had strongly opposed those who acknowledged Jesus as Lord and Messiah. Others were now doing this as well and causing grief among those early believers.

3.   Paul knows Timothy will be, and likely was already, having to face the same from people like Paul had been. He writes to encourage him then, that he “wage the good warfare.” Indeed, it was warfare, demonically inspired, and what was then remained and remains today.

4.   When someone who acknowledged Jesus as the Christ yet does not hold to the faith and “a good conscience,” these make “shipwreck of their faith.” Paul names two such persons, obviously somewhat well known to both Paul and Timothy, a Hymenaeus and an Alexander.

5.   Paul goes so far as to say that he “handed” them over to Satan with the hope that these two men would correct their views and ways and return to being true Christians. This handing over is a way of saying the two men were put out of their congregations.

April 24, 20

Luke 19:28–40

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.

1.              The final week, often referred to as The Passion Week, of Jesus’ ministry begins with His entry into Jerusalem. He comes in on a young donkey, a colt, that had never been ridden. Many think Jesus had arranged for the colt to be available via his friends who lived in Bethany, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, just 2 miles from Jerusalem.

2.              Two of Jesus’ disciples, no names are provided in any of the Gospel accounts, throw their ‘cloaks’ or outer garments, on the back of the colt, then put Jesus on the animal.

3.              Descending from the Mt. of Olives (Olivet) heading for Jerusalem not more than 2 miles distant, a whole multitude (meaning lots) accompany Him into the city rejoicing with shouts of praise. Their words state that these disciples understand that Jesus is the King or the Lord’s Messiah.

4.              Among the crowd are some Pharisees who shout out to Jesus that He must “rebuke” His disciples (students). In response, Jesus says that if these follower of His would not do so “the very stones would cry out.”

5.              As this large group nears Jerusalem, as the city came into view, Jesus began to weep, and amidst the weeping He is heard to express sorrow for what would come to the city since it would experience utter devastation, to the effect that the destroyers “will not leave on stone upon another.” 6.              This “word of knowledge” came to Jesus, and it would be fulfilled forty years later (or one generation) away. And so, it would at the conclusion of a four-year war with Rome, the city would be destroyed, along with the Temple, in 70 A.D.

Gospel Meditation

Luke 19:1–10

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.

1.         The old city of Jericho had been replaced, mostly through Herod the Great, who died about four years before the birth of Jesus, and it was a magnificent built. Only 14 miles away from Jerusalem, the road to it was well travelled and at Jericho would be a taxing booth or table.

2.         A wealthy and chief tax collector was one Zacchaeus, a Jewish man, who would have been greatly despised by most others. He must have heard about Jesus, and when learning that He was passing through the town, wanted badly to see Him.

3.         Being small of stature, he climbed upon a sycamore tree (a fig mulberry tree, branches low to the ground) because he could see over the crowds lining the path Jesus and His disciples were walking on.

4.         Jesus spotted Zacchaeus, called him to come down and invited Himself and His disciples to come to Zacchaeus’ house. When the locals saw this, Luke tells us “they all grumbled” because being a tax collector, he would he hated.

5.         Zacchaeus, a terrible sinner in the opinion of others, announced that he would give half his goods to the poor and promised to give back fourfold to anyone he had cheated.

6.         Jesus thereupon announced that salvation had come to Zacchaeus’ house, and He affirmed that he was a “son of Abraham.”

7.         Jesus then said, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Zacchaeus was one of these.

Luke 18:31–43

Jesus Foretells His Death a Third Time

Jesus Heals a Blind Beggar

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.

1.         On His way to Jerusalem with His disciples, along with throngs of others going up to the city for Passover, Jesus, and for the third time, says that He will be given over to the Gentiles who will mistreat Him and also kill Him. Not only that, but that He will also rise from the dead. But they did not understand Him.

2.         Crossing over the Jordan River, they come to the city of Jericho. (There were two sites for the city, the old one built by the Jews and also a newer city built by Romans.)

3.         Now a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging, which was common, and there were likely many more doing this hoping for offerings from the pilgrims headed toward Jerusalem. (Matthew speaks of two beggars.)

4.         The beggar, upon hearing that Jesus was passing by, cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me,” a messianic term used by Jews in that era. Jesus stopped and had the blind man brought to Him.

5.         The man pleaded for Jesus to heal him, and Jesus did so and said to him, “your faith has made you well.” And that faith would be that not only could Jesus heal him but that He was the promised Messiah.

6.         The man now became a follower of Jesus and those who witnessed it gave glory to God.

Gospel Meditation

Luke 18:15–30

Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.

1.         Likely numbers of times parents brought their children to Jesus so that He might bless them (with a touch). In that era, children were often a burden to parents.

2.         Jesus invites children to come to Him, and such is the way we must come into the

kingdom of God.

3.         Then a rich ruler sought Jesus out. Maybe the head of a synagogue or even a member of the Sanhedrin (70 of them ruled over by the high priest).

4.         It seems that he desired to have eternal life and must have thought Jesus could show him the way.

5.         Jesus lists 5 commandments, these called the Second Table of the Law, and the ruler says he is completely obedient and observant of these laws. (see Exodus 20)

6.         Jesus then tells him to sell all he has and give it to the poor, and then become His follower.

7.         The ruler declines however, too high a price to pay for him, and Jesus states how difficult it is for those who are wealthy. Using hyperbole, to help make His point, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle.

8.         Those who heard Jesus’ words wondered who then could be saved. Jesus says only God can do this saving work.

9.         Those who leave all worldly goods behind–perhaps referring to forgives and peace–will receive much more here on the planet, and then even eternal life.